Washing machines



Aug. 30, 1966 G. J. DEISS 3,269,154

WASHING MACHINES Filed July 15, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet l TIME)? JA/ITCHES IN V E NTOR. 502515 [DA-7J5 Aug. 30, 1966 G. J. DEISS WASHING MACHINES 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 13, 1964 is mv xv ho Q A f IKXQNTaQQbW I I I III] mm Ex n 3Q a k a; N3 3 m mwwk INVENTOR. GEORGE .17 05/55 Aug. 30, 1966 G. J. DEISS WASHING MACHINES 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 13, 1964 w 4 a w. w u N m W W 5 za fs asmnuummm United States Patent 3,269,154 WASHING MACHINES George 1. Dates, Philadelphia, Pa, assignor to Philco Corporation, Philadelphia, Pa, a corporation of Delaware Filed July 13, 1954, Ser. No. 382,299 4 (Zlairns. ((11. 68--12) This invention relates to washing machines. It deals with an automatic system wherein a mechanically driven agitator, along with other components of the washer, performs certain cycles of operation.

Various arrangements are known wherein the user preselects one of several preestablished sequences of washer operations. For instance, when a so-called long wash cycle is chosen, fabrics are exposed to agitation in a continuous process. Such continuous agitation usually lasts several minutes and is performed in warm or hot water. In a short wash cycle the same general kind of treatment is applied for a shorter time. In a soaking cycle a similar process occurs for a still shorter time. The programs usually end with various rinsing and spinning operations and other, auxiliary steps.

While these washing programs, with agitation continued for some minutes, are widely used in the United States, it is more usual elsewhere and for instance in many countries of Europe to provide different combinations of programs, mainly for the washing of very delicate, soft-nap woolens and blankets, and wherein it is required to minimize not only the agitation of fabrics but also their exposure to relatively hot water. Due to such requirements, difficulties were thus far encountered in the European marketing of American-built washers, which did not readily lend themselves to performance of these so-called woolen or blanket cycles.

It is an object of this invention to overcome such difiiculties and to provide a washer suitable for the washing of delicate woolens, as well as the conditioning of other fabrics, in accordance with the requirements established in the different countries and market areas.

Theoretically an almost unlimited selection of washing programs could be provided by merely multiplying control means of washers used or proposed in the past, but the control means tend to become complex if they are adapted to increasing numbers of variations of automatic pro grams. It is desired to maintain standards of compactness and simplicity, as well as versatility. This is so because the housewife could not cope with instrumentation which is all too complicated, and also because of the extra costs of added or multiplied provisions for washing programs. Therefore it is an object of my invention to provide a washer which remains compact, simple, and economical while providing ample possibilities of variation of automatic cycles.

Toward these objects the invention provides novel arrangement and utilization of so-called subinterval timing means, particularly for the control of the agitation of fabrics.

In the drawings appended hereto;

FIGURE 1 is a front view of the control dial of a washing machine incorporating this invention.

FIGURE 2 is a small perspective front view of the entire machine.

FIGURE 3 is a schematic representation of circuits used in the machine.

FIGURE 4 is a sequence chart representating a washing cycle type for the conditioning of soft-nap woolens, as performed by the circuit and controls of FIGURE 3, and also representing a so-called long wash operation as performed by the circuit and controls.

FIGURE 5 is a diagrammatic perspective view of certain circuit elements used in the new machine, together with the control dial.

3,269,154 Patented August 30, 1966 "Ice Referring for general orientation to FIGURES 1 and 2: washer It has control dial 11 mounted on backsplash 12. Also provided is the usual bank of pushbuttons 13 for selecting Water temperatures and the like. According to the invention the machine also has another pair of pushbuttons 14, 15, disposed for instance on dial 11 as shown and alternatively usable by a conventional toggle arrangement, not shown, for selecting the desired washing pro gram. The dial also has the usual knob 16 for starting and manually accelerating or modifying the washing operation in well-known ways.

Primary controls and cycle selections are applied by elements 14, 15, 16, while in some or all of the selected cycles specific water temperatures can be selected and other secondary options can be made by conventional pushbuttons 13. It will be seen that the basic selectors 14, 15, characterizing the invention, constitute a pushbutton unit of utmost simplicity and insignificant cost.

Let it be assumed that a load of blankets of soft-napped wool shall be washed. These blankets are introduced into the washer through door 17 (FIGURE 2). The housewife then depresses pushbutton 14 to select the woolen and blanket cycle, and operates knob 16 by slightly rotating it to initiate the automatic operation. This rotation of knob 16 energizes a certain portion of the circuit shown in FIGURE 3, which operates in the European woolen cycle as well as the American Long Wash and other cycles, as will now be described. The circuit includes conventional timer linkage TL, which is caused by knob 16 to close timer switch 18, in series with fill solenoid F, and thereby to energize this solenoid to fill the washing machine with cold water.

This filling of the machine, represented in FIGURE 4 at 1B (fill), occurs in a still or quiescent way. Such is the case in this operation, although the new machine is equipped with an agitator drive control which is able to apply agitation at the corresponding time. In the European woolen cycle under consideration, circuit for the drive motor is and remains open at this time, particularly (FIGURE 3) at the aforementioned pushbutton switch 15 and also at relay switch S2, to be described presently. The filling of the washer proceeds in a way know by itself. When pressure switch PS reaches full position PS2 it interrupts the former supply of current from L1 through PS1, thereby de-energizing fill solenoid F. Line L1 is then connected by PS2 to switch contacts 8T, which at this time are closed. Timer motor T is thereby energized and started (FIGURE 4 at 8T). After a few seconds the timer closes contacts 7B and ST, in series with intermittently operable subinterval switch SS, unless 7B and ST have already been closed by turning knob 16.

A construction of the subinterval switch, known by itself, is best shown in FIGURE 5. It comprises a cam 18 with raised lobe 19, driven by timer motor T and operating subinterval switch lever 20 to close and open subinterval switch contacts SS in a series of short subcycles or subintervals.

As newly applied in accordance with the invention (FIGURE 3) switch SS energizes subinterval relay R during each sub-interval when the switch is closed, thereby periodically shifting subinterval relay linkage SRL, which closes relay switch S2. Drive motor M is energized through relay switch S2 and timer contact 4T, the latter having been closed previously by tinier linkage TL. This conditionooncurrent closure of 4T, 5T, 7B, SS, S2-causes a short subinterval of energization of drive motor M, causing tumbling in the washer, this subinterval lasting for instance ten seconds. Thereafter switch SS opens the circuit of relay R, opening relay contact S2 and thereby deenergizing the drive motor. The timer continues to run, and after another short time interval,- such for instance as twelve seconds, the subinterval switch again makes contact, energizing the relay, closing relay switch S2 and restarting the drive motor to begin another few seconds of tumbling; then, by similar operation of the subinterval switch and elements controlled thereby, the washer again is at rest for another brief rest period as indicated. The precise extent of the short resting and tumbling intervals is controlled by cam 18 and its raised cam lobe 19, FIGURE 5, which can be made as long or short as it is desired, thereby providing any desired distribution of tumbling and non-tumbling times during the period of intermittent tumbling. In FIGURE 4 the intermittent tumbling, controlled by relay switch S2, is indicated by cross-hatched portions of the blocks shown in columns 4T and M in interval Wash-l of the timed program. The corresponding circuit portions are active,

but only intermittently so. Continuous energization is shown by blocks of solid black.

Incident to these subinterval operations timer linkage TL moves forward, since timer motor T drives a second cam 21 (FIGURE which has a raised lobe 22 and thereby operates a pawl 23 at least once during each revolution of the cam, thus advancing timer gear 24- by the length of one tooth thereof during each revolution of cam 18. In this way the timer system next reaches a new position (Wash-2 in FIGURE 4) where the subinterval tumbling terminates as timer switch ST is opened, relay R is de-energized thereby, and the drive motor circuit is thus opened at S2.

Next, as indicated at Wash-3, timer circuit is opened at ST and temperature control circuit is closed at 83 to operate a temperature control unit TC (FIGURE 3) and thereby to heat the water in the washing machine. This unit desirably comprises a water'heater and suitable relay and control means for the same, which need not be shown herein, being well known to the art. Unit TC also includes the aforementioned temperature controlling push buttons 13, for the further control of the heater, as is also known to the art. One of the pushbuttons is always set, either manually or automatically, to select a certain temperature of the wash water. As indicated above, cold water setting is generally best for the initial portion of the washing process to be applied to soft-nap woolens. At the present point, however, it is preferred at least slightly to raise the water temperature.

When the proper raised temperature has been reached the timer is re-energized. This time it is energized through a suitably arranged switch RS and the tripped position of a thermostat TH in temperature control unit TC. Thereafter (Wash-4 in FIGURE 4) the timer linkage re-establishes timer circuit at 8T and continues to hold the same during most of the remaining cycle. At the present moment, drive motor M is at rest. This condition is retained until the timer has again progressed to a point where 5T closes agaian, and where another intermittent tumbling operation is performed by the timer and subinterval linkages, in the same way as described above (Wash-5 The timer then advances into a position where, by operation of timer switches as already shown and described, the washer and the fabrics therein again are in a state of rest or soaking (Wash-6 to 10). The fabrics are soaked in warm water, and this continues until the timer has advanced to a point where the intermittent agitating sequence is repeated by the system of timer and relay switches (Wash-11). Thereafter (Wash-12) the washer is again at rest and soaking.

According to the invention the woolen cycle of the washer retains the so-established, further state of rest and soaking in the warm wash water during the next four periods or major time intervals (Wash-l3 to 17). Certain timer contacts, including mainly the drain, rinse and spin controlling contacts 2B and 3T are opened and closed during these periods. However, relay R is continuously energized through 10B, 14 during this time, interrupting circuit for 2B at S3 and interrupting circuit for 3T at S1,

FIGURE 4 at Rinse and Spin 18 to 28, cause the warm Wash water to be removed, cold rinse water to be introduced, a further period of quiet soaking to be applied, and finally, rinse water to be extracted. In preparation of these steps contact 10 has been opened at the end of Wash-16, de-energizing relay R and thus closing switch S3. At the start of Rinse 18 drain contact 2B is closed, which due to the closure of S3 then causes energization of drain solenoid D. A sequence of tumble-drain and spinning operations is then used, as will be described presently. Next, during Rinse 20, the machine is filled with cold rinse water, which remains undisturbed until the end of Rinse 24. Details of these intervals and their basic sequence are believed obvious from FIGURE 3 and 4. It will be seen that basically quiescent treatment is applied to the woolens until the end of Rinse 24.

In most cases, positive dewatering (spin-drying) of the woolens is desired, and it is generally found that woolens allow considerable spinning, even if they would be damaged by extensive tumbling. It is, however, preferred to dewater the fabrics in a way safely avoiding the so-called water-chasing which would often be encountered if very wet fabrics were directly subjected to spinning. Therefore the dewatering steps of the woolen cycle (Rinse and Spin l8 and 25) are preferably conducted as follows. The machine is drained as 2B closes while 10B and S3 are open, and this is accompanied by a series of short tumbling and subinterval spinning operations. Contacts 6T and 5B are closed for this purpose, the latter being energized only when, due to the tumble-drain condition, the water level in the machine has dropped so that electric line L1 is connected to PS1, which usually happens after some 10 or 20 seconds of tumble-draining. The machine then goes into spin whenever subinterval switch SS closes, back into tumble-drain when SS opens, etc. These subintervals occur during main intervals 18 and 25, as best indicated in FIGURE 4, column M *In the final main intenvals Rinse and Spin 26 and 28 the timer then connects spin solenoid S to PS1 by contacts 5B and 3T, while relay switch S1 is closed. Thereby a steady spinning condition is then established.

After the spinning operations the timer opens connections from L1 to F, M, D, S, R, TC and T at one or several points, as shown in FIGURE 4 at Off (end of the woolen cycle), and thereby causes the unit to be shut off, establishing the end of the cycle for soft-nap woolens. It will be seen that this cycle is characterized by the use of subinterval tumbling operations M during the washing phase. Preferably these operations are performed very briefly, and in relatively cold water. The cycle thereby assures maximum protection of delicate woolens and blankets, which may otherwise undergo shrinkage and felting. As woolens give up soil readily, even when soaked only in quiescent condition, the cycle provides this kind of soaking, supplementing it in the rinsing phase, as described above, with brief and delicate applications of tumble-draining and subinterval spin, as also shown at MT.

As already noted, the circuit of FIGURE 3 also serves to perform a conventional long wash cycle. For this purpose the housewife simply depresses pushbutton 15, rather than 14. Automatic operations are then performed, by the timer components of FIGURE 3, which are similar to those explained above. The two patterns of timer switch operations differ, however, with respect to the currents passing through the drive motor contacts. In the woolen cycle, contact 4T passes current intermittently during intervals Wash- 1, 5 and 11"; in the long wash it passes current continuously from Wash1 to Wash- 11. Contacts 4B, 6B are inactive (see dotted lines) during the woolen cycle, pushbutton switch being open, whereas these contacts are active during the long wash when this pushbutton switch is closed. Conversely switch 14 and timer switch 10B are inactive in long wash but active in the woolen cycles. As a result, and as noted above, the woolen cycle utilizes the first and only charge of wash water until the end of interval Wash17 (see separation line between Wash and Rinse in European Woolen Cycle). The operation is different in the long wash cycle, when timer switch 108 is inactive, so that 213 and related elements cause draining of the machine and termination of the Wash and beginning of a Rinse and Spin program at the end of interval 1 2 (see the horizontal line at this point). It is thought unnecessary to describe the long wash Rinse and Spin program in detail; it is conventional. A resume of the steps is provided by FIG- URE 4 under the headings American Long Wash, Rinse and Spin. With respect to the conditioning of fabrics the two cycles differ mainly in that a tumble-wash by agitator motor M occurs only intermittently and during a few brief intervals in the European Woolen Cycle (see column M in FIGURE 4), whereas tumbling by means of the drive motor (M prevails long and continuously in the American Long Wash Cycle.

Referring to FIGURE 1 once more, the washer is shown as also providing for Short Wash and Soaking Cycles. Either of these further variants can be performed by the circuit of FIGURE 3, when desired. The details are known to persons skilled in the art. They have not been shown in FIGURE 4 in order to avoid unnecessary overcrowding of this figure. The various operations required for instance in the Short Wash Cycle are simply produced by suitably disposed high lobes and low lobes on the cams of timer linkage TL. It is believed unnecessary to illustrate such cams and cam lobes for the Short Wash and Soak Cycles, as the present invention relates only to the interposition of a newly arranged subinterval system on the Long Wash portion of the timer linkage system.

The so interposed subinterval system, as already noted, utilizes the combination of switch SS and relay R during the tumble phase, whereas it uses only timer switches SS, 7T, 5B during the spin phase and thereby avoids the need for relay switches other than S1, S2 and S3. Theoretically, a combination of timer switches, including SS, could also operate directly (without relay R) during the tumble phase or phases. However, the use of relay R is greatly preferred since the motor currents, to be turned on and off during the intermittent tumbling, are much heavier than the spin solenoid currents involved in the intermittent spinning. Thus it will be seen that the invention achieves the desired cycles and subcycles by a uniquely economical control system.

While only a single structural embodiment of the invention has been described, the details thereof are not to be construed as lirnitative of the invention. The invention contemplates such variations and modifications as come within the scope of the appended claims,

I claim:

1. In a machine for washing fabrics: means for immersing fabrics in washing solution, for agitating the solution and fabrics, and for removing such solution; means for performing the immersing, agitating and removing operations in controlled cycles of time intervals; means constructed and arranged for controlled application of subinterval cycles on a controlled agitating operation to make the agitating intermittent, for the conditioning of one type of fabrics, and to make it continuous for the conditioning of other types of fabrics; and a timer comprising first and rapidly movable cam means to provide the means for application of subinterval cycles, and a system of cams, more slowly movable by said first cam means, to provide part of said means for performing in cycles of time intervals.

2. In a machine as described in claim 1, means for quiescently soaking the fabrics prior to the agitating thereof.

3. A machine for washing fabrics in washing solution, said machine comprising power means for performing such washing in a controlled sequence of operations, occupying certain time intervals; means for selectively agitating or quiescently soaking the solution and fabrics during predetermined ones of said intervals; and means selectively operable for either causing the fabrics to be agitated only briefly and intermittently or to be agitated extensively and continuously, the construction and arrangement being such that said selectively operable means includes a relay for the control of said power means; said machine additionally including solenoid means for obtaining spindrying from said power means, and means for direct control of said solenoid means by said selectively operable means for intermittent de-energization.

4. A machine for conditioning a variety of fabrics by submerging, agitating and spin-drying them, comprising motor means for said agitating; solenoid means for said submerging and spin-drying; a circuit for operating said motor and solenoid means in predetermined intervals of submersion, agitation, and spin-drying; a switch disposed in said circuit and constructed and arranged to be opened and closed in subcycles shorter than said cycles; a relay in said circuit, controlled by said switch and including means for controlling said motor means; and means in said circuit, controlled by said switch without said relay, for controlling said solenoid means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,995,143 8/1961 Strathearn et al 68-12 X 3,140,595 7/1964 Low 68-12 3,178,914 4/1965 Low 68-12 3,194,398 7/1965 Fecho 68-12 X FOREIGN PATENTS 248,585 12/1963 Australia.

WILLIAM I. PRICE, Primary Examiner, 

4. A MACHINE FOR CONDITIONING A VARIETY OF FABRICS BY SUBMERGING, AGITATING AND SPIN-DRYING THEM, COMPRISING MOTOR MEANS FOR SAID AGITATING; SOLENOID MEANS FOR SAID SUBMERGING AND SPIN-DRYING; A CIRCUIT FOR OPERATING SAID MOTOR AND SOLENOID MEANS IN PREDETERMINED INTERVALS OF SUBMERSION, AGITATION, AND SPIN-DRYING; A SWITCH DISPOSED IN SAID CIRCUIT AND CONSTRUCTED AND ARRANGED TO BE OPENED AND CLOSED IN SUBCYCLES SHORTER THAN SAID CYCLES; A RELAY IN SAID CIRCUIT, CONTROLLED BY SAID SWITCH AND INCLUDING MEANS FOR CONTROLLING SAID MOTOR MEANS; AND MEANS IN SAID CIRCUIT, CONTROLLED BY SAID SWITCH WITHOUT SAID RELAY, FOR CONTROLLING SAID SOLENOID MEANS. 